Murder charges laid in death of Sarnia, Ont., teacher

Lambton County OPP charged a man and woman with first-degree murder days after 27-year-old Noelle Paquette was found dead in a woodlot southeast of Sarnia.

Paquette was a kindergarten teacher at St. Matthew School in Sarnia.

Tanya Bogdanovich, 31, and Michael McGregor, 19, both of Sarnia, were arrested without incident late Thursday in London.

They are currently in custody and are expected to appear in a Sarnia court later Friday for a bail hearing.

A post-mortem examination of Paquette's body began Thursday and is expected to continue Friday at London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital.

Paquette is being remembered as an angel.

More than 5,000 people have joined a Facebook group paying tribute to her.

Carol Bryden, chair of the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, for which Paquette worked, said some staff members got together at a local church to pray for Paquette earlier this week.

"She was a wonderful colleague. I spoke with several of the staff members who just spoke so highly of her and her ability to relate to children," Bryden said.

She said counsellors will be on hand for students and staff Monday.

"We want the transition back to school to be very calm for the children. We have a compassionate care team in the board that moves into action whenever a tragic event occurs. They will be there to help the staff and students overcome any problems they might have," Bryden said.

A celebration of Paquette's life will take place at the school in the coming days, she said.

The OPP confirmed Thursday the body police found on Mandaumin Road, southeast of Sarnia, was Paquette.

She was last seen alive New Year's Eve, after leaving a party in downtown Sarnia.

OPP spokesperson Const. Chrystal Jones said the force has been receiving calls on a tip line, and all of those tips will be investigated fully.

The OPP has been speaking with the Sarnia Police Service and the two are working together to share information.